A cenote is a natural, water-filled pit formed by the collapse of limestone bedrock, revealing an underlying pool of groundwater. This feature is most famously associated with the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, which is dominated by a thick layer of porous limestone. Florida shares a similar underlying geology, sitting almost entirely on a vast platform of carbonate rock. Florida’s terrain is characterized by a network of underground rivers and water-filled openings that are geologically related to the Mexican cenotes.
Cenotes: A Question of Terminology
While Florida possesses features functionally identical to cenotes, the term itself is not used officially within the state. The word “cenote” is a Spanish transliteration of the Yucatec Maya word tsʼonoʼot, meaning “sacred well” or “water-filled cavity.” Florida’s equivalents are generally referred to by the local geological names of freshwater springs, sinkholes, or sinkhole lakes. The geological process that creates them is the same, but the official nomenclature distinguishes the two regions.
The Mechanics of Karst Geology
The formation of both cenotes and Florida’s water features is governed by karstification. This process begins when rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and soil, creating a weak carbonic acid solution. As this slightly acidic water percolates through the ground, it encounters soluble carbonate bedrock, primarily limestone and dolomite. The acid slowly dissolves the rock, carving out vast networks of subterranean conduits and caverns.
This constant dissolution eventually weakens the ceiling of the underground void. When the overlying rock and sediment can no longer support their own weight, they collapse, forming a surface depression known as a sinkhole. If this collapse exposes the groundwater table, the resulting water-filled opening is the feature common to both Florida and the Yucatán. Florida’s geology is a classic example of karst topography, which is characterized by the presence of these sinkholes, caves, and a lack of surface rivers.
Florida’s Springs and Submerged Cave Systems
Florida’s most significant geological equivalent to a cenote is its abundance of freshwater springs. These springs represent the outflow points of the massive Floridan Aquifer System (FAS), one of the most productive aquifers worldwide. The FAS is a vast body of water contained within highly permeable carbonate rock, extending beneath the entire state. Springs function as natural “windows” where the aquifer water is discharged to the surface.
Deeper, water-filled sinkholes also dot the Florida landscape, often referred to locally as “blue holes” or “sinkhole lakes.” These vertical shafts and pools are entry points to the state’s extensive, deep, and interconnected submerged cave systems. Cave divers frequently explore these clear, water-filled conduits, which directly connect to the main flow of the Floridan Aquifer. These openings are the result of the same geological forces that created the cenotes of Mexico.